Jane the Virgin – SWATINESS

Our story begins about 5 and a half years ago, when I was stumbled upon the trailer of a show called ‘Jane the Virgin’. The title was enough to entice me and the opening trailer had me in giggles, intrigue and mystery – right away it went on my list.

Fast forward to today, the final season is dropping on Netflix this weekend and while I already watched as every episode dropped – I am ready to binge again! So, if you haven’t gotten on the Jane-parade – I’m here to convince you to start! We are at home, with nowhere to go – when can be better?

It’s a telenovela – which is basically a tv-show with a limited-run time and done in a typical Latin-American fashion. Meaning it’s dramatic, it’s surprising, it’s intriguing, its… its… its ADDICTIVE!

So, we begin with Jane. I mean, after all, the show is named after her. Jane is a virgin – who gets accidentally artificially inseminated by Rafael’s sperm by Rafael’s sister, Luisa instead of Rafael’s wife Petra. But, Jane is dating the cop Michael – who is looking into the murder of Rafael’s best friend’s murder – the same guy that Petra is having an affair with. Confused? Unconvinced? Okay, I will just list out reasons so you can start watching.

Jane

Jane is super relatable as a character – she’s not dangerously attractive that makes you wonder if you can ever relate. She’s cute – she’s your girl-next-door. She’s intelligent, charming, trustworthy, super competitive – all the qualities that make her so real.

Her obsession with grilled cheese sandwiches, her very real confusion between one extremely hot baby daddy and one kind of cute cop fiance or when she’s trying not to take sides between her mom and Abuela. She has her flaws too – especially when she’s about to get really angry. Oh, and did I mention she’s a pregnant virgin? That’s basically what the show is mostly about.

The Hot Men

I’ll be honest, quite a significant part of why I watch the show is because of the men on the show. Adding in the romance and mystery, there are three essential dreamboats that you need to know about – Rafael (Jane’s baby daddy) , Rogelio (Jane’s daddy) and Michael (Jane’s boyfriend/fiancé). If you are wondering, I’m on #TeamRafael all the way.

My favourite person on the show is The Narrator – better known as the Latin Love Narrator. Never before have I seen a show where the narrator had such an important role – his snide remarks, comments fit in seamlessly in every scene – collecting not only his thoughts, the characters’ thoughts but also the viewers!

Which brings me to –

Rafael Solano

I can’t be objective about this – it is what it is. I love Rafael. I wanted Jane to be with Rafael from the very moment they first kisses – five years before the show’s timeline – she should have always chosen Rafael. I am not sure what it was – the shirtless scenes, the sensitive side, the love he has for Jane and the kids or the way he always wanted the best for her – even if it was his expense – emotionally, mentally, economically.

While Jane was always the heroine we knew she is, Rafael’s character grew by the episode. From being the rich playboy to the joyous baby daddy to the man in love complete with the grand romantic gestures – there’s nothing you will not love about being on Team Rafael.

No Dull Moments!

Whether it’s Jane’s birthday with her mum Xiomara dancing seductively, or her favourite TV star turning out to be her dad or the fact that Rose wasn’t who she was or Petra had a twin. To say that the show is dramatic – is but of an understatement. On Jane the Virgin – there are no dull moments.

And while our dear Latin Lover Narrator adds a lot of intrinsic drama to the already dramatic scenes – Jane the Virgin has very unexpected cliff hangers – that aren’t just there for the sake of being dramatic. (I feel like this paragraph can be a drinking game for the word Drama).

There’s twists and turns and threats – that in on way or another affect and complicate every single character’s life. Some of the biggest arcs on the show that are often threatened and complicated are – Jane’s relationship with her mom, her ability to trust Rafael. It’s not just about #TeamRafael or #TeamJane – but conflicts that help the show grow more and kept me coming back on the edge of my seat episode after episode.

Relationships on the show

When it comes to relationships – they really did nail it. They showed all sides of all kinds of relationships – the mother-daughter relationship that Jane and her mom (Xiomara) have or the Xiomara and Abuela have or the one Petra has with hers. They are real, raw, messed up and just so entertaining for the most part. It sounds like a jumble as I’m saying it out loud – but the Latin Lover Narrator is really good at reminding/explaining/clearing out any doubts. My favourite relationship is the friendship of Jane and Petra – by the end of season 5 – that’s one of the relationships everyone ends up caring most about.

Rogelio and his DRAMATICNESS!

Gifs would be enough for him, honestly:

So, why don’t you join me and get on the Jane-parade!

Monica and Chandler

Everyone’s who ever seen Friends have them on their list. A long time ago, my best friend, Sonia and I created an entire list of reasons for everything we know about ‘love’ was from Chander and Monica. Reasons included their characteristics- funny and OCD, friends first, lovers second and the perfect match- they are my favourite TV couple. I don’t know about you, my favourite episode is ‘The One Where Everybody Knows’. ( THEY DON’T KNOW, THAT WE KNOW, THAT THEY KNOW THAT WE KNOW!).
Chuck and Blair

When at first they got together- I was weirded out. I thought Blair should be with Nate and not the creepy Chuck Bass. But, come season 2, my opinion changed. Chuck brought out the best and worst of her- and enough to still want to be with her. Blair gave it everything to bring out the best of Chuck. Minus all the expensive presents, dinners, “rich people drama”- the couple was quite realistic when it came to the relationship. I loved when in Season 4 beginning, they’re in Paris at the train station- and Blair drops everything when she finds out Chuck’s there and tells him to come back to New York. I, ESPECIALLY, loved it when they finally got married and how!
Uncle Jesse and Becky

I spent a lot of time watching Full House- and while the coolest relationship on the show was of Danny and his cleaning supplies (just kidding, it was Michelle and Uncle Jesse), Uncle Jesse and Becky were a pretty awesome TV couple. They used to support each other’s insanity, careers, goals, family and each other.
Logan and Veronica Mars

I was SOOOOOO upset when Duncan ran away with the baby- that definitely meant the end of Duncan and Veronica, but as Logan and Veronica started their relationship- it became pretty clear who she really suited with (read: Logan). Their relationship had a different dynamic- slightly messed up, but it suited their characters. That said, this is one of the best detective shows I’ve seen- you should REALLLY watch it.
Bones and Booth

I stuck through all the 12 seasons. I started watching Bones during their 4th season- and couldn’t miss an episode. Every episode, to me, was the most fascinating thing- and I literally wouldn’t do anything for the hour (especially eat when the body was still being “recovered”). Seeley Booth and Temperance ‘Bones’ Brenan’s relationship was the highlight of the show. Of how they eventually went from being partners to a couple.
Ross and Rachel

They were on a break, but Ross shouldn’t have slept with the photocopier girl. I wanted to slap the man’s idiot face when he did. And all the missed opportunities of being with Rachel- stupid, stupid man. But, despite all the flights, fights and longing looks they shared- Ross and Rachel were made for each other.
Jane and Rafael

I know, I know so many people who supported Jane and Michael- but. I’ve always been Team Rafael. Oh, the man is way too sexy. I wish he didn’t break up with Jane when he did- then they’d still be together. I got on the whole Michael and Jane boat when he recovered from the hospital after the shooting. But, then they went and killed him. So, I swam back on the Team Rafael boat. Rafael and Jane, especially now, have a beautiful relationship and co-parent the cutest toddler, Mateo.
Barney and Robin

The only reason I stuck with this mind-numbingly silly show, How I Met Your Mother was to watch Barney and Robin get together. Only for the writers to ruin it in the last 3 minutes of the series. Robin and Barney complemented and completed each other in a way nobody else would have.
Schmidt and Cece

The best thing about New Girl might be Jessica Day, but the best romance on the show is Schmidt and Cece. The crazy levels that Schmidt went through to be with Cece are brilliant- even crashing her mass Indian “date” thing in an Indian groom’s attire. They have an amazing chemistry, understanding, and relationship.